It takes you past crystal pools, welbedacht cave, the wolfberg arch and wolfberg cracks, the maltese cross and sneeuberg. For our own interest, we spent a bit of time exploring the easy route to the small crack. Well take a winding road from cape town through the hottentot holland mountain range, hike to rock pools, then set up camp and have a braai dinner cooked over an open fire. These hikes are moderate and your personal level of fitness should guide you in deciding which route to follow. Does anyone know if the hike to wolfberg arch via the cracks is open yet and if not, if there is a. Wolfberg lies within the awesome cederberg wilderness area, which is situated about 200km north of cape town. Tafelberg and wolfberg cracks in the cederberg is now.
Wolfberg cracks south african trekking and catered. Sanddrif holiday resort the unspoilt heart of the cederberg. The wolfberg cracks is one of the best known and spectacular parts of the magnificent cederberg. The arch itself is certainly the largest such natural beauty of its kind that i know of in south africa, and stands in an area of great beauty and silence. Wolfberg, northern cape, south africa secret cape town. Wolfberg cracks south african trekking and catered, guided. Cederberg things to do browse our directory of things to do in cederberg. Dec 05, 2016 the main event of the weekend was, of course, the wolfberg cracks. Cederberg wines are located on the highest lying vineyards in south africa and their unique location adds. The trail to wolfberg cracks is steep, but the path is good. Weve headed towards these beautiful mountains on a long weekend in september to camp at sanddrif near dwarsrivier farm. Sanddrif cederberg conservancy, south africa, western cape.
Clanwilliam is quite possibly one of the best venues for smallmouth bass fishing in south. Wolfberg arch western cape, south africa alltrails. The two lie fairly close to one another and either will supply you with maps and permits. However, we can now enjoy climbing again at two of the best trad venues in. We planned this overnight backpacking trip in the cederberg wilderness area after seeing photos of wolfberg arch, a gargantuan stone archway. Getting there the ideal basecamp for climbing at wolfberg is the sanddrif campsite. Building a large post frame garage full timelapse construction.
Wolfberg cracks southern cederberg, a climbers guide. Were heading to sa in september, mostly to go to kruger but will have quite a bit of time in the cape town area, as well. The arch is lit by both sunrise and sunset from opposite sides, a breathtaking sight. To reach the wolfberg arch, via wolfberg cracks some hikers start from dwarsrivier farm, others from sandrif holiday resort. Backpack and hike in the wolfberg cracks of the cederberg south. Jul 12, 2018 this route explores some of the most iconic places in the cederberg and is one of the best 5day hikes i have done anywhere. Sep 01, 2018 one of the notable landmarks in cederberg wilderness area is the 15 meterhigh wolfberg arch. Cederberg, western cape welcome to the official cederberg tourism site learn all about the towns situated in the cederberg municipal region as well as about the cederberg mountains and cederberg wilderness area, what you can do here, where to have delicious meals and where you can stay. Walking to the wolfberg cracks trailhead, central cederberg. The hike across the top to wolfberg arch is still closed, as the vegetation in that area has still not recovered sufficiently. Wolfberg arch can be reached by traversing a set of monumental clefts in the mountain known as the wolfberg cracks. The trail is primarily used for hiking and walking.
Park your vehicle under the oak trees and head up the path to wolfberg cracks. The rocks could crush us, but i remind myself they have been perfectly wedged between the sheer walls of the wolfberg cracks for ages. Here is a route description, map, and gps waypoints for hiking the route. Im always proud of ourselves when we choose to turn back in the mountains. This map is available from the dwarsriver booking office and from the algeria forestry office amongst others. In my opinion, the walk through the wolfberg cracks in the cederberg must be one of the most spectacular oneday walks in south africa.
Cederberg, western cape welcome to the official cederberg tourism site learn all about the towns situated in the cederberg municipal region as well as about the cederberg mountains and cederberg wilderness area, what you can do here. Map guide wolfbergcederberg, western cape of south africa. Original image from the guide book wolfberg cracks a climbers guide by tony lourens with permission. Were heading to sa in september, mostly to go to kruger but will have quite a bit of time in the. And the numbers allowed up to and through the cracks will also be controlled for the foreseeable future.
I know of in south africa, and stands in an area of great beauty and silence. See the cederberg risen from the ashes getaway magazine. Hiking wolfberg cracks and wolfberg arch cederberg south africa. Take this j ourney to breathtaking rock formations and pools in south africas cederberg mountains.
The wolfberg cracks are on its doorstep, roughly an hour uphill over a few boulders, and its close to sundowner paradise, the stadsaal caves. The farm lies in the heart of the cederberg wilderness area, which is well known for its spectacular rock formations, expansive vistas, rock. If i didnt i would be morbidly obese with my career. This epic formation can be reached by traversing a set of monumental clefts in the mountain known as the wolfberg cracks. Its difficult to climb anywhere in the cederberg and come away disappointed. My advice, if you want to visit this area, book cederberg accommodation or citrusdal accommodation far in advance. Wolfberg cracks is the adventurous hike to do in the cederberg natural area.
Most of the hike is in full sun so its best to start at 06. Cheap flight tickets in 2020 south africa travel, africa. The cracks are on private land adjacent to the wilderness area, and a permit must be obtained from the nieuwoudts at dwarsriver farm. Video documentary of 4 friends hiking one of the most spectacular natural site of south africa. The wolfberg cracks tower over the settlement of dwarsrivier, while the spectacular wolfberg arch beyond looks down onto the parched scrubland of the tanqua karoo. Hype if there is one adventurous hike to do in the cederberg wilderness area, this is it. I never tire of doing this walk and i was fortunate to lead the route again re. Climbing at wolfberg, sanddrif cederberg, south africa. Aug 02, 2019 50 km 30 mi into the cedarberg, youll find one of the most amazing and unknown natural treasures of south africa the wolfberg cracks. Climb up a few meters to some small crimps in a thin rail. Sanddrif holiday resort offers a choice of accommodation, from 16 cosy and fully equipped selfcatering holiday cottages with breathtaking views of the famous wolfberg cracks and the river to more than 40 wellrun camping facilities. We had hoped to go all the way to the wolfberg arch but made the safe decision to return due to bad weather actually it became impossible to see where we were going due to the cloud.
The main event of the weekend was, of course, the wolfberg cracks. It never really feels as if you are climbing that much. There is just something incredibly beautiful about the cederberg and the wolfberg cracks are simply amazing to explore. I had done the route several times and it is well cairned, so it is not difficult to follow. Falling at truitjieskraal, wolfberg cracks, cederberg. Sanddrif holiday resort is situated on the farm dwarsrivier, home of cederberg private cellar, approximately 250 km north of cape town. My handsdown favourite is a road trip into the cederberg. Hiking wolfberg cracks and wolfberg arch cederberg south. Environmental assessment is ongoing but its hoped they will open soon. There are numerous day and overnight hikes including the popular and spectacular wolfberg arch, wolfberg cracks and the maltese cross. May 10, 2012 this is one of the highlights of any trip to the central cederberg. The table mountain sandstone creates ideal conditions for spectacular routes. Wolfberg cracks love exploring exploring south africa.
But in the heat of the day it can feel difficult, so start early. These natural fissures sit 500 feet above the sanddrift camp site on the same farm that is responsible for the award winning cedarberg wine. See south africas natural wonders, from wolfberg cracks to maltese cross. Wolfberg cracks and arch, cederberg wilderness area. Seasoned hikers should only attempt the spectacular hike to the wolfberg arch via the wolfberg cracks. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and backpacking. I cant seem to find anything more current and have written the park requesting an update but havent heard back. The cederberg in general is known for is fantastical rock formations, and the cracks will not disappoint. Needless to say, the cake barely made it intact to the.
Working against this is the fairly long drive from cape town, but then again the mission to get there works in favour of a quiet and beautiful camping spot in. Wolfberg cracks western cape 2020 all you need to know. Purchase permits and a map from the office at dwarsrivier or algeria forest station cape nature hq for the cederberg wilderness. Wolfberg cracks, sanddrift, cederberg, south africa youtube. Sanddrif holiday resort offers a choice of accommodation, from 16 cosy and fully equipped selfcatering holiday cottages with breathtaking views of the famous wolfberg cracks and the river to more than 40 wellrun camping facilities with a safe playground for children. Well take a winding road from cape town through the hottentot holland mountain range, hike to rock pools, then set up camp and have a braai dinner cooked over an.
Hiking to the wolfberg arch is fun and challenging. South african climber and designer tony lourens is the publisher of the map guide series, here introducing the region wolfbergcederberg in the western cape of south africa. Apr 19, 2012 cederberg wolfberg cracks hiking pictures the easter weekend stumbled upon us and it was a tough decision of where to go or what to do. Devastating fires in late 2016 cut all access to two muchloved attractions there the wolfberg cracks and arch and they remain closed more than a year later. The main feature on this route is the big leftleaning grey groove to the left of the overhanging bands on the southwest face.
From there you can either hike another 5km to the wolfberg arch an iconic cederberg landmark or return down the mountain via a big, easy crack. A comprehensive pocket climbing guide, by jayson orton, 2000. Day hikes cederberg conservancy, south africa, western cape. Me taking my first fall on the climbing sport walls at truitjieskraal in the cederberg mountains. This cederberg hike takes 6 7 hours and starts at sanddrif. Wolfberg cracks and wolfberg arch cederberg south africa. South african climber and designer tony lourens is the publisher of the map guide series, here introducing the region wolfberg cederberg in the western cape of south africa. This route explores some of the most iconic places in the cederberg and is one of the best 5day hikes i have done anywhere. The cederberg is a special place and should be on everyones bucket list to go and explore. It can take anything from 4 to 7 days, depending on how many of the side trips one undertakes. It took us 3 hours from cape town, but we also were stuck in the peak hour traffic at 16h00 for an hour, so it took us 4 long hours. Camping at sanddrif holiday resort and wine tasting at cederberg wines.
Wolfberg arch trail in cederberg, western cape sa venues. The farm lies in the heart of the cederberg wilderness area, which is well known for its spectacular rock formations, expansive vistas, rock art and fynbos. Wolfberg cracks and wolfberg arch cederberg south africa rating. The cederberg is known for its impressive rock formations and the wolfberg cracks and arch are two of the mustsee sites.
Wolfberg cracks and arch south africa accommodation. Wolfberg cracks cederberg wilderness south africa in 2020. This is one of the highlights of any trip to the central cederberg. Wolfberg cracks, cederberg, south africa whitesky photographics. Always carry enough water, warm clothes and snacks when embarking on any hike. The catch is that youll have to hike to reach them. Its quite a steep climb but the trail is wellmarked and easy enough to follow. One of the notable landmarks in cederberg wilderness area is the 15 meterhigh wolfberg arch. Southern cederberg, western cape by tony lourens all give fantastic climbing, in very different and aweinspiring situations. Were looking at going to cederberg but have read about fires that occurred last summer, closing the hike as of september 2017.
Wolfberg cracks western cape, south africa alltrails. Things to do in cederberg south africa accommodation. Wolfberg cracks and wolfberg arch name of reserve area. Dec 18, 2017 after traversing the cracks, we emerged from the depths and the warm summer sun greeted us back. Download its gps track and follow the itinerary on a map. Aug 21, 2014 building a large post frame garage full timelapse construction. Start about 4m to the left of the arete at a good rail. Backpack and hike in the wolfberg cracks of the cederberg. One not to miss is the fullday hike through the towering, ochre rock formations known as the wolfberg cracks, to the famous wolfberg arch. Mar 26, 2018 my handsdown favourite is a road trip into the cederberg.
Whinge direct 25rx an alternative third pitch to whinge taking the blank face left of the arete. Cederberg wolfberg cracks hiking pictures the easter weekend stumbled upon us and it was a tough decision of where to go or what to do. The cederberg is renowned for its quality of rock climbing routes particularly around the krakadouw and tafelberg peaks. South of here stands the raadsaal, which looks as if it came from the pages of the brothers grimms fairy tales. After traversing the cracks, we emerged from the depths and the warm summer sun greeted us back. Julie had spent the better part of the saturday morning telling me that the hike wasnt that bad.
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